Evacuated bottle system

ABSTRACT

A cap assembly including a self-sealing membrane that overlaps an opening to an interior of a container. The cap assembly further includes a cap having a cover portion that includes an annular wall that defines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening located radially outward of the central opening. The cover portion defines a gap above the self-sealing membrane. The gap is configured to allow the self-sealing membrane to be at least partially displaced from the opening to allow fluid communication between the interior of the container and an outside atmosphere when a suction is applied to the cap.

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/182,709 filed on Feb. 23, 2021, which claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/138,223filed on Sep. 21, 2018, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/333,454 filed on Oct. 25, 2016, which claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/540,477filed on Nov. 13, 2014 and U.S. application Ser. No. 14/540,443 filed onNov. 13, 2014. The entireties of these applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an evacuated bottle system. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an evacuated bottlesystem that includes a cap assembly that is removably attached to thevacuum bottle and has a membrane covering the opening of the bottle thatis exposed externally and seals itself after the membrane is penetratedby a needle, cannula or other tubular instrument, where the self-sealingmembrane is displaceable to selectively allow fluid to flow around themembrane to evacuate the bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical bottles that are used to store fluids that are accessed byinserting a needle through the cap or bottles that contain a vacuuminside that are penetrated by a needle to drain fluid use a permanentlyattached cap that cannot be removed.

For example, current glass evacuated bottles are used in hospitalsettings to drain pericardial, peritoneal and pleural fluid frompatients with certain conditions. These bottles typically range from 500to 1000 cubic centimeters in size and are primarily used in radiology.The vacuum inside the bottle is accessed by a needle that is insertedthrough a membrane held in place by the non-removable top. Thenon-removable top is typically metal or plastic that is crimped ormolded onto the top of the bottle to provide permanent attachment. Onedrawback of the glass bottles used is that they are considered a safetyhazard because of the possibility of breakage during or after aprocedure. Also, in terms of disposable, hospitals are required to add asolidifying sand or other substance to liquid medical waste such as thefluid within the bottle. This cannot be accomplished with the currentglass bottle and non-removable top. As a result, existing fluids andbottles are disposed of improperly in medical red waste bags or Sharpscontainers due to the non-removable top.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally includes an evacuated bottle system including abottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck with a rimdefining an opening; a cap assembly supported on the bottle, the capassembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion,the first portion being insertable within the interior of the bottle andthe second portion engaging a portion of the bottle to support thefunnel above the rim, the funnel defining a bore that fluidlycommunicates with the hollow interior of the bottle; a self-sealingmembrane that covers the bore formed by the funnel to selectively sealthe hollow interior of the bottle; a cap attachable to the bottle, thecap including a cover portion that extends at least partially over theself-sealing membrane to restrain movement thereof, the cover portionbeing axially spaced from the self-sealing membrane to define a gap thatpermits axial movement of the self-sealing membrane to selectively openthe bottle to fluid communication outside of the bottle.

The present invention further provides a cap assembly for an evacuatedbottle system, the cap assembly including a funnel having a firstportion including a first wall defining a first bore and a secondportion; the second portion including a floor extending radially outwardfrom the first portion to form a shoulder adjacent to the first portion;a second wall extending upward from the floor defining a second bore,the first bore and second bore being in fluid communication with eachother; a self-sealing membrane having a first portion and a secondportion, wherein the first portion includes a tapered end received inthe first bore and wherein the second portion is received in the secondbore of the funnel and includes a perimeter that extends radiallyoutward of the first portion to overlap at least a portion of the floor;a cap that fits over the second portion of the funnel, the cap definingat least one evacuating opening to which a suction is applied, the capincluding a cover portion that extends radially inward over at least aportion of the self-sealing membrane to retain the self-sealing membranewhen the suction is applied to the evacuating opening, the cover portiondefining a gap above the self-sealing membrane to allow the self-sealingmembrane to selectively move axially outward from first bore of funnelto provide fluid communication between the first bore of the funnel andthe second bore of the funnel.

The present invention further provides an evacuated bottle systemincluding providing a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottlehaving a neck defining an opening that provides fluid communication withthe interior; providing a cap assembly including a funnel having a firstportion and a second portion, where the second portion extends radiallyoutward from the first portion to form a floor on an interior thereofand a shoulder on an exterior thereof, the first portion defining afirst bore and the second portion defining a second bore fluidlyconnected to the first bore; a self-sealing membrane having a firstportion having a tapered end and a second portion that extends radiallyoutward of the first portion, wherein the tapered end is insertablewithin the first bore of the funnel and the second portion is sized tofit within the second portion of the funnel; and a cap having a cap wallsized to fit over the funnel and a cover portion extending radiallyinward from the cap wall, the cover portion defining at least oneevacuating opening; attaching the cap assembly to the bottle byinserting the first portion of the funnel into the neck of the bottle;supporting the funnel on the neck of the bottle at the shoulder;inserting the tapered end of self-sealing membrane into the first borewhere the second portion of the self-sealing membrane covers at least aportion of the floor to seal the first bore of the funnel from thesecond bore; applying the cap over the funnel and attaching the cap tothe bottle, wherein the cover portion extends radially inward over aportion of the self-sealing membrane and defines a gap axially outwardof the self-sealing membrane when the tapered end is fully insertedwithin the first bore; applying a pressure differential relative to theinterior of the bottle to create a suction at the evacuating opening todraw the self-sealing membrane axially outward within the gapwithdrawing the tapered end from the first bore a distance effective toprovide fluid communication between the first bore of the funnel and thesecond bore the funnel; maintaining the suction until a selectedpressure is achieved within the interior of the bottle; and withdrawingthe suction, wherein the selected pressure within the bottle draws thetapered end of the self-sealing membrane into the first bore of thefunnel to reseal the interior of the bottle.

The present invention also provides a cap assembly for a vacuum bottlethat is removably attached to the bottle and includes a membrane thatcovers the opening defined by the bottle, where the membrane is aself-sealing membrane, and a cap that fits over the membrane to hold itover the opening of the bottle, wherein the cap defines a gap above themembrane that allows it to be displaced away from the bottle to allowfluid to flow out of the bottle to form a vacuum or lower pressurewithin the bottle.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the bottle isconstructed of a shatter-proof material. In accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention, the shatter-proof material is a plastic. Inaccordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the plasticis medical grade plastic. In accordance with another aspect of theinvention, the shatter proof material is gamma gassed sterilized.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the bottleis provided with a molded-in eye.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cap defines aninternal thread that mates with a thread on the bottle to removablyattach the cap to the bottle. In accordance with another aspect of theinvention, a seal is provided between the bottle and the cap.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cap furtherincludes a funnel having a first portion size to be received within themouth of the bottle and a second portion that extends radially outwardfrom the first portion to define a shoulder that is wider than the mouthof the bottle, where the cap fits over the shoulder and threads onto thebottle to compress the shoulder against the rim of the mouth of thebottle. According to another aspect of the invention, an 0 ring isprovided between the shoulder and the rim of the bottle. In accordancewith another aspect of the invention, a self-sealing membrane is placedbetween the cap and the second portion of the funnel, where theself-sealing membrane is trapped between the cap and the funnel when thecap is attached to the bottle. In accordance with another aspect of theinvention, the self-sealing membrane has a flexible edge thatselectively permits fluid to flow from the bottle to create a vacuumtherein. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the capwhen attached to the bottle defines a gap above the self-sealingmembrane that permits at least a portion of the self-sealing membrane tomove away from the neck of the bottle to permit fluid to flow out of thebottle.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a portable suctionassembly is provided including a bottle having a cap assembly mountedthereon, the cap assembly including a self-sealing membrane that coversthe opening of the bottle, a cap that fits over the self-sealingmembrane and attaches to the bottle to hold the self-sealing membraneover the opening. The cap defining a gap above the self-sealing membranethat allows selective displacement of the self-sealing membrane to drawfluid from the bottle to form a lower pressure than ambient pressuretherein, wherein the cap includes an opening that exposes a portion ofthe self-sealing membrane, and a tubular member having a tip thatpenetrates the self-sealing membrane to apply suction to the tubularmember. According to the method, the end of the tubular member isinserted into a body of fluid using the vacuum within the bottle to drawfluid from the body. According to the method of the invention, whereinthe body of fluid includes vehicle or engine fluid such as fuel,coolant, oil, brake fluid, diesel emissions fluid, and refrigerant.According to another aspect of the invention, the body of fluid includesmedical fluids including bodily fluids and medical fluids.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of creating avacuum within a bottle via a cap assembly according to the invention isprovided. The method includes providing a bottle, inserting a firstportion of a funnel into the bottle, where a second portion of thebottle extends outward and upward from the first portion to form afloor, inserting a self-sealing membrane into the second portion of thefunnel such that an edge of the self-sealing membrane lies over thefloor, and trapping the self-sealing membrane within the funnel byattaching a cap over the second portion of the funnel and attaching itto the bottle. According to another embodiment, the cap when attached tothe bottle defines a clearance that allows the self-sealing membrane toflex or move to permit fluid flow between sealing membrane and theshoulder. The method further includes placing the bottle in a chamberapplying a negative pressure to flex or move the self-sealing membraneaway from the shoulder to draw fluid within the bottle out to form avacuum within the bottle, and releasing the negative pressure to allowthe membrane to contact the shoulder and form a seal. According toanother embodiment, the method includes forming one or more openingswith the cap that overlie the edge of the self-sealing membrane. Themethod includes drawing fluid from the bottle through the at least oneor more openings.

The invention further provides an evacuated bottle system includingproviding a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neckdefining an opening that provides fluid communication with the interior;providing a cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and asecond portion, where the second portion extends radially outward fromthe first portion to form a floor on an interior thereof and a shoulderon an exterior thereof, the first portion defining a first bore and thesecond portion defining a second bore fluidly connected to the firstbore; a self serum stopper having a self sealing membrane that extendsradially outward to overlie at least a portion of the floor of thefunnel; and a cap having a cap wall sized to fit over the funnel and acover portion extending radially inward from the cap wall, the coverportion defining at least one evacuating opening; assembling the capassembly with the bottle by inserting the first portion of the funnelinto the neck of the bottle; supporting the funnel on the neck of thebottle at the shoulder; inserting the serum stopper within the funnelwhere the self-sealing membrane covers at least a portion of the floorto seal the first bore of the funnel from the second bore; applying thecap over the funnel and attaching the cap to the bottle, wherein thecover portion extends radially inward over a portion of the self-sealingmembrane and defines a gap axially outward of the self-sealing membrane;applying a pressure differential relative to the interior of the bottleto create a suction at the evacuating opening to draw the self-sealingmembrane axially outward within the gap a distance effective to providefluid communication between the first bore of the funnel and the secondbore the funnel; maintaining the suction until a selected pressure isachieved within the interior of the bottle; and withdrawing the suction,wherein the selected pressure within the bottle draws the self-sealingmembrane against the floor of the funnel to reseal the interior of thebottle.

The invention further provides a system for evacuating a bottleincluding an assembly station wherein a cap assembly is attached to thebottle, the cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and asecond portion, where the second portion extends radially outward fromthe first portion to form a floor on an interior thereof and a shoulderon an exterior thereof, the first portion defining a first bore and thesecond portion defining a second bore fluidly connected to the firstbore; a serum stopper received in the second bore of the funnel having aself sealing membrane that extends radially outward to cover at least aportion of the floor; and a cap having a cap wall sized to fit over thefunnel and a cover portion extending radially inward from the cap wall,wherein the cover portion defines a gap over the self sealing membrane,the cover portion defining at least one evacuating opening located atleast partially radially outward of a perimeter of the self sealingmembrane; an evacuation station including a head having a port adaptedto fluidly communicate with the evacuating opening, the head being inselective fluid communication with a vacuum source to apply a suction tothe evacuating opening causing the self sealing membrane to be displacedupward from the floor into the gap to allow fluid communication betweenthe port and the bottle to draw fluid from the bottle.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detailcertain illustrative aspects of the claimed subject matter. Theseaspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways inwhich the principles of the innovation may be employed and the claimedsubject matter is intended to include all such aspects and theirequivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the claimed subjectmatter will become apparent from the following detailed description ofthe innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cap assembly for a bottleaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a cap assembly according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a serum stopper having aself-sealing membrane according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a serum stopper having aself-sealing membrane according to an alternate embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a cap assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a funnel component according to theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a top view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 14 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view as might be seen along line 15-15 in FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a cap assembly according to the inventionmounted on a medical bottle with a portion of the cap cutaway.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the cap assembly according tothe invention showing details of an evacuating operation used to form alower pressure or vacuum within a bottle on which the cap assembly isinstalled.

FIG. 18 is a somewhat schematic view of a cap assembly according to theinvention used to form a portable suction system to draw fluid from abody of fluid into the bottle.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged section view similar to FIG. 17 showing analternate method of evacuating a bottle and alternate stopper.

FIG. 20 is a partially schematic view of an automated process forevacuating bottles according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cap assembly for a medical bottle according to the invention isgenerally indicated by the number 10 in the drawings. Cap assembly 10includes a funnel 20, a self-sealing membrane 60 and a cap 80.Optionally, a seal 50 may be provided between the funnel 20 and bottle Bas described more completely below.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 10-15, funnel 20 generally includes afirst portion 21 and a second portion 22. First portion 21 is sized tobe received within the mouth M of bottle B. First portion 21 may have avariety of shapes or configurations suitable for insertion of firstportion 21 within an opening or mouth M of bottle B. In the exampleshown, first portion 21 has a cylindrical configuration including afirst wall 23 that defines a first bore 25. Second portion 22 includes ashoulder 24 that extends radially outward from first wall 23 to engagethe rim R of bottle B to support second portion 22 above rim R. In theexample shown, shoulder 24 extends perpendicular to wall 23 to form aflat shoulder that extends parallel to the upper surface of rim R. Itwill be understood that other configurations including tapered shouldersmay be used to act as a stop and support second portion 22 on rim R. Asin the case of first portion 21 a variety of configurations or shapesmay be used for the second portion 22 including but not limited to thecylindrical shape shown. In the example shown, second portion 22includes a second wall 26 that defines a second bore 28 above first bore25. As shown, second bore 28 may be sized larger than first bore 25although other configurations including same sized bores 25,28 or asmaller second bore 28 may be used.

In the example shown, shoulder 24 divides first portion 21 and secondportion 22. Shoulder 24 forms a floor 27 and may extend inward of firstbore 25 to form a third bore 29 that has a smaller lateral dimensionthan first bore 25 and second bore 28. In the example shown, a lip 30 isformed above first bore 25. The lip 30 has a relatively small axialdimension compared to the first wall 23 to provide reduced frictionalcontact with self sealing membrane 60 as discussed more completelybelow.

As shown, first bore 25, second bore 28 and third bore 29 are in fluidcommunication with each other and open at each end of funnel 20. Inparticular, first end 31 of funnel 20 is insertable into the mouth ofbottle B and is open to the interior of bottle B. Second end 32 offunnel 20 opens upwardly.

When assembling the cap assembly 10, a seal 50 may be provided betweenthe funnel 20 and bottle B. Seal 50 may be formed integrally with funnel20 or a separate seal may be provided. Seal 50 may be any suitablesealing member including but not limited to a sealing tape, a gasket, oran o-ring as shown. The seal 50 shown defines a seal bore 52 that issized to fit around the perimeter 33 of the first portion of funnel 20.Seal 50 loosely conforms to the perimeter 33 of funnel 20 such that theshape of the interior surface 51 of seal 50 may be any of the shapesdescribed with respect to funnel 20 including but not limited topolygonal shapes or the cylindrical shape shown. In the example shown,interior surface 51 defines a circular bore 52. The exterior surface 53may have any shape as well including but not limited to polygonal,irregular, or cylindrical shapes. The exterior surface 53 is spacedradially outward of the interior surface 51 by a suitable amount to forma seal between funnel 20 and a rim of bottle B. In the example shown,seal 50 is sized to fit beneath shoulder 24 and has a lateral dimension54 less than or equal to the lateral dimension of shoulder 24 so thatseal 50 does not protrude outward of second portion 22 of funnel 20. Asdiscussed more completely below, this facilitates attachment of theoverlying cap 80 to the threads of bottle B.

A self-sealing membrane 60 may be provided within the funnel 20 to closethe bottle B from atmosphere when the cap assembly 10 is fullyassembled. Self-sealing membrane 60 may have any shape or form includingbut not limited to a disk or other body 64 having a lateral dimensiongreater than the dimension of first bore 25 of funnel 20. The perimeter65 of body 64 contacts floor 27. To selectively pump fluid into or outof the bottle B as discussed more completely below, perimeter of body isdisplaced from the floor 27 to permit the flow of fluid around theperimeter of body and through bore 25 of funnel 20. Displacement ofperimeter 65 may be accomplished by moving the body 64 outward fromfloor 27 i.e. by applying a negative pressure or suction above body 64to move it away from floor 27. Alternatively, only the perimeter 65 maybe displaced for example by flexing the perimeter 65 away from floor 27as shown for example in FIG. 15 at position 65′.

As shown, self sealing membrane 60 may be provided on a serum stopper.One such serum stopper is depicted in FIG. 3 with an alternate serumstopper depicted in FIGS. 4-7. Serum stoppers are commercially availablein a variety of configurations and sizes. Consequently, the examplesshown should not be considered limiting. In the examples shown, serumstopper includes a first portion 61 and a second portion 62. Firstportion 61 is sized to fit within first bore 25 of funnel 20. In theparticular example shown, since lip 30 protrudes into first bore, firstportion 61 has a lateral dimension that allows it to fit within thirdbore 29 formed by lip 30. As a result, sealing contact between firstportion 61 is made with lip 30. Lip 30 has a smaller axial dimensionthan first wall 23 and therefore, contact between first portion 61 ofself sealing membrane 60 and funnel 20 occurs over a relatively smallarea reducing the frictional forces when displacing the self sealingmembrane 60 outward to unseal the interior I of bottle B, as discussedmore completely below.

Second portion 62 includes the body 64. Body 64 includes a perimeter 65that extends radially outward of first portion 61 to extend over atleast a portion of floor 27. In the example shown, second portion has alateral dimension similar to the lateral dimension of second bore 28such that it substantially fills the second bore and covers the floor27. In the example shown, the thickness of first portion 61 is thinnerthan second portion 62. The thickness of first portion 61 is selectedsuch that perimeter 65 may flex to allow selective fluid communicationused to provide or draw fluid from the bottle B. To that end, thethickness may vary based on the choice of material.

First portion 61 may be constructed to facilitate insertion of firstportion 61 into first bore 25. For example, first portion 61 may includean end 63 that tapers inward as it extends downward from first portion61. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, serum stopper may include afirst portion 161 that includes a pair of legs 163 extending downwardfrom membrane 160. The legs 163 are separated by a gap 165 that permitsfluid to flow from bottle B when membrane 160 is raised from floor 27during an evacuation process described more completely below. The legs163 are flexible and may flex inward toward gap 165 to facilitateinsertion. To that end legs 163 are constructed of a flexible materialand may include an inward taper 168 at their outer extremity to furtherreduce their thickness at the point of insertion. This reduced thicknessalso increases the width of gap 163 at the outer extremity. To helpretain the serum stopper during the evacuation process, legs 163 mayinclude outward projections 167 extending from the outer surface of legs163 to engage a wall of funnel 20. Projections 167 may include anysuitable projection including continuous projections such as a rib orridge or discontinuous projections, such as the various nubs or bumpsshown in the figures.

In the examples shown, first and second portions are constructed fromthe same material. It will be understood that the portions may beconstructed of different materials as well. The self-sealing membrane isconstructed of a material through which a needle, cannula, or othertubular member that creates fluid communication with the bottle isinserted. The material is self-sealing in the sense that when the needleis withdrawn the material closes the opening created by the needle torestore the seal created by the cap assembly closing the bottle toatmosphere. Various plastically deformable materials including but notlimited to polymeric materials, natural and synthetic gums, rubbermaterials and combinations or composites thereof are suitable for thispurpose. In the example shown, self-sealing membrane 60 and serumstopper is constructed of a rubber material.

A cap 80 is applied over the funnel 20 and secured to bottle B. Capgenerally includes a cover portion 81 and an axially inward extendingwall 82. Cover portion 81 extends radially inward from wall 82 oversecond bore 28 to overlie at least a portion of self-sealing membrane toretain self-sealing membrane 60 within funnel 20. Cap 80 may be attachedto the bottle B or funnel to retain self-sealing member 60 within funnel20. When cap 80 is attached, cover portion defines a gap 85 aboveself-sealing membrane 60 that permits displacement of the body 64 orperimeter 65 to permit fluid flow around self-sealing membrane 60 aspreviously discussed. Cap 80 may be attached to bottle B by a fastener,generally indicated at 86 including but not limited to a weld, adhesive,clip, threads, and the like. In the example shown, cap includes aninternal thread 87 that mates with an external thread T on bottle B. Tothat end, cap wall 82 includes an end 83 that extends axially inward ofthe second portion 22 of funnel 20 i.e. past the shoulder and isprovided with an internal thread that mates with the external thread Tof bottle B. As shown, end 83 extends sufficiently to mate with thread Tand may also include a clearance 88 to accommodate the seal 50 betweenfunnel 20 and neck N.

Cap 80 may have any shape of configuration suitable for at leastpartially covering the self-sealing membrane 60 to retain self-sealingmember within funnel 20. In the example shown, cap has proportionsslightly greater than the neck N of bottle B so that it fits over theneck N of bottle B. Likewise, cap 80 is sized to fit over funnel 20 andseal 50. It will be understood that the outer shape of wall 82 may bevaried without affecting the function of the cap 80. The shape shown isone example of an aesthetically pleasing shape that may be used. Thewall 82 is generally cylindrical in shape but may also have other shapesincluding polygon shapes, ribbed contours, corrugated shapes, orarbitrary shapes selected by the designer. The interior shape of thewall 82 may vary depending on the form of attachment used. In theexample shown, however, since a threaded fastener 86 mates with a threadT on the bottle, the interior proportions of the wall 82 are sized todefine a cap bore 83 of similar dimension to the neck of the bottle B.

Cover portion 81 of cap 80 may also have any configuration or shape solong as a portion of cover portion 81 extends over self-sealing membrane60 to retain it. To that end cover portion may include one or moreinward extending tabs, walls, or other structures to retain self-sealingmembrane 60. In the example shown, cover portion 81 includes an annularwall 84 that defines a central opening 89. The annular wall 84 extendsradially inward over the perimeter 65 of body 64 of self-sealingmembrane 60. The central opening 89 provides access to self-sealingmembrane 60 through cover portion 81 and acts to guide insertion of theneedle, cannula or other tubular member. One or more evacuating openings90 may be provided within cover portion 81 or another portion of cap 80to facilitate fluid communication within the bottle B as discussed morecompletely below. The evacuating openings 90 may have any shape orconfiguration and may be located anywhere on cap wall 82 or coverportion 81. In the example shown, plural evacuating openings 90 areprovided on cover portion 81 and located on a common circle 92. Theopenings 90 each have a circular shape with the center of each openinglocated on common circle 92. The common circle 92 may generallycorrespond to and overlies the joint 67 formed between the edge 69 ofself-sealing membrane and the wall 28 of funnel 20. In the exampleshown, common circle 92 is located slightly inward of edge 69 to overliea portion of perimeter 65. During a filling operation, this locationaccelerates fluid flow over perimeter 65 near edge 67 of membrane 60 tocause it to move away from funnel 20 or cause perimeter 65 of membrane60 to flex away from floor 27 to provide fluid communication between theinterior of bottle B and atmosphere. When applying a negative pressureto the cap assembly 10, fluid is drawn through evacuating openings 90and sucks at least the perimeter 65 of membrane 60 away from funnel 20allowing fluid within the bottle B to be drawn out. In some cases themembrane 60 may be lifted away from floor 27, for example by flexing ofperimeter 65 (FIG. 15) or elevation of body 64 as a whole (FIG. 17).This procedure may be used when developing a vacuum within bottle B. Tofacilitate the flow of fluid into or out of the bottle B, the upper edge68 of perimeter 65 may be tapered or rounded (FIG. 17). In the exampleshown, a rounded edge is provided creating a relieved area adjacent towall 28 of funnel at the upper surface of membrane body 64.

According to another aspect of the invention, cap assembly 10 includes asystem for forming a vacuum within the bottle B. In its most generalform, a self-sealing member is placed over the neck of the bottle tocover the opening formed by the neck. A cap fits over the self-sealingmembrane to hold it in place over the opening. The cap is attached tothe bottle as discussed above including, for example, by having aninternal thread that threads on to an external thread on the neck of thebottle. When the cap is attached, the cap defines a gap above theself-sealing membrane to allow it to be displaced away from the neck ofthe bottle to allow fluid to be drawn from the bottle. The cap includesone or more openings 90 to which a suction is applied to draw theself-sealing membrane away from the bottle to draw fluid from the bottleand form a vacuum or lower pressure within the bottle. As best shown inFIGS. 17 and 19, the suction applied to form a vacuum or other lowerpressure within bottle B acts on membrane 60 to draw it upward withinthe gap defined by the cap. As shown in FIG. 17, the serum stoppercontaining the membrane 60 may move upward and be displaced from thefunnel 20. In some instances, the suction is sufficient to cause theserum stopper to rise to the point of contacting the cap. In doing so,this may seal the central opening within cap 80. To that end, theopenings 90 are spaced radially outward to permit fluid flow throughthese openings despite contact between the serum stopper and the cap.Membrane 60 may include a rounded perimeter or other contour thatfacilitates maintenance of fluid flow around the perimeter and throughopenings 90. As discussed, alternate serum stoppers may be used. Thealternate serum stopper shown in FIGS. 5-7 and 19 includes a pair oflegs 163 separated by a gap 165. This serum stopper is designed toremain at least partially within the bore of funnel even during suction.To that end, the legs 163 have a length sufficient to remain in the bore25 of funnel 20 even when membrane 160 engages cap 80 during evacuation.The presence of the gap 165 between legs 163 permits fluid flow frombottle B when the membrane 60 is elevated from floor 27. To help holdserum stopper in bore 25 of funnel 20 and to resist inadvertentdisplacement of serum stopper, legs may include outward projections 167,such as nubs and the like that engage the inside wall of funnel 20. Tofacilitate insertion, legs 163 may be made flexible and include aninward taper 168 at their outward extremity to further reduce theirthickness and facilitate inward flexion of the legs 163 duringinsertion.

According to one method of the invention, the suction is applied byproviding the bottle B with the cap assembly 10 attached within achamber 100 that is at a lower pressure P₁ than the fluid, which is airin the example shown, within the bottle B such that the air is drawnfrom the bottle B by displacing at least a portion of the self-sealingmembrane away from neck N of the bottle B as discussed above. As thepressure in the bottle P₂ equalizes with the pressure in the chamber 100the pressure differential on the membrane 60 decreases causing theself-sealing membrane 60 to return to the closed configuration to resealthe bottle B. Removing the bottle B from the chamber 100 or pressurizingthe chamber 100 so that it has a pressure greater than the pressurewithin the bottle provides a pressure differential that holds theself-sealing membrane against the neck of the bottle to seal it from theatmosphere. The suction within the bottle may be accessed by the step ofinserting a tubular member through the self-sealing membrane.

According to another embodiment, the system includes providing a bottleB, inserting first portion 21 of a funnel 20 into a neck N of the bottleB, where the funnel 20 includes a second portion that extends radiallyoutward from the first portion and rests on the neck N of the bottle B.The first portion 21 and second portion 22 each defining a bore 25,28that provide fluid communication between the bottle B and theatmosphere. The second portion 22 of the funnel forms a floor 27 orother surface adjacent to the bore 28. A self-sealing member 60 isprovided within the bore in the second portion and has a perimeter thatis supported on the floor. A cap 80 fits over the second portion 22 offunnel 20 and self-sealing membrane 60 and attaches to the bottle B. Thecap 80 defines a gap 85 above the self-sealing membrane 60 that permitsdisplacement of at least a portion of the self-sealing membrane 60 in anupward direction to permit fluid communication between the bottleinterior and the outside atmosphere. According to the invention, thebottle with cap assembly 10 installed is placed in a chamber 100. Thepressure P₁ in the chamber 100 is less than the pressure P₂ within thebottle causing displacement of the self-sealing membrane 60 upward awayfrom floor 27 to draw fluid from the bottle B and form a vacuum therein.To facilitate displacement of the self-sealing membrane, one or moreopenings may be formed in the end or portion of cap that covers the edgeof self-sealing membrane. In the example shown, plural openings 90 areprovided on a circle 92 that corresponds to the joint between themembrane 60 and the funnel 20. Fluid F drawn through these openings 90sucks the perimeter 65 of membrane 60 upward from floor 27 (FIG. 17) oraway from the wall 26 of funnel 20 (FIG. 15) to open the first bore 25to the atmosphere within chamber. In the event that the suction causesself sealing membrane to contact cover portion 81 (FIG. 19) closing thecentral opening of cap 80, rounded corners 68 provide a clearance atopenings 90 to maintain the flow of fluid F from bottle B. The radialoutward spacing of openings 90 also may be made such that at least aportion of opening 90 is located radially outward of the perimeter ofmembrane 60 to permit the fluid flow needed to evacuate the bottle B.

Once the vacuum is formed in the bottle B, the pressure within thechamber 100 may be increased causing the self-sealing membrane 60 toreturn to its normal position or configuration against floor 27 offunnel 20 to reseal the bottle B. It will be appreciated that the vacuumor pressure differential within the bottle B will also help pull theself-sealing membrane inward to maintain the seal.

In an alternative embodiment, to form a vacuum within the bottle, apressure coupling or nozzles may be provided over, within, or otherwisein fluid communication with openings 90 in the cover portion 81 of cap80 to create a negative pressure that draws the perimeter 65 of membrane60 away from funnel 20 to create fluid communication with the interior Iof the bottle B. As shown in FIG. 17, pressure device 110 that is influid communication with the cap 80 is used to apply suction to openings90. In still another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 19, pressure device110 may sealingly engage cap assembly 10 to better apply suction to capassembly 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, pressure device 110 includes a seal 112that extends inward to engage cap assembly 10. As shown, pressure device110 may include a housing 114 that defines an opening or port 115 sizedto receive cap assembly 10. This housing 114 is fluidly connected to avacuum source 117 by a suitable conduit 116 or other source thatprovides a pressure differential needed to provide the desired pressurewithin bottle B. Once fluid communication is achieved, the nozzles maycontinue to draw fluid from the interior I of the bottle B until asuitable pressure or vacuum within the bottle is achieved.

Once the vacuum or lower pressure is provided within the bottle, thebottle with cap assembly attached may be used as a portable suctiondevice 150 as schematically shown in FIG. 18. The pressure differentialprovided within the bottle is used to draw fluid into the bottle. Toaccess the suction, a tubular member 95 having a first end or tip 96capable of penetrating the self-sealing membrane 60 is inserted throughthe self-sealing membrane 60 and into the lower pressure fluid withinthe bottle. The opposite end 97 of the tubular member is inserted into abody of fluid, generally indicated at 175 to use the pressuredifferential between the interior I of bottle B and the body of fluid todraw fluid from the body of fluid into the bottle. As an option, theexternal end of tubular member may be attached to a variety ofattachments to facilitate application of the suction to the body offluid 175. For example, attachment 98 may include a nozzle, a cap thatfits onto a particular container, or a connector that couples thetubular member 95 to a container or other tube.

The portable suction 150 may be applied to any type of fluid 175including liquids and gases not limited to bodily fluids and othermedical application fluids, vehicle or engine fluids including but notlimited to fuel, coolant, brake fluid, diesel emissions fluid, andrefrigerant.

The bottle B may be of any size or shape and constructed of any suitablematerial including glass, metal, or plastic. The bottle may beconstructed of an opaque, translucent, or transparent material.According to one aspect of the invention, the bottle is constructed of ashatter proof material, but this is not necessary in every application.For example a shatter proof plastic may be used. According to anotheraspect of the invention, the bottle is constructed of a medical gradeshatter proof plastic that has been gamma gas sterilized for use in amedical setting. The bottle may be sterilized according to other knownmethods for use in a medical setting. In the example shown, the bottle Bdefines a hollow interior I capable of holding up to 1000 ml of fluidand includes a scale or gradations G visible on the bottle B to aid theuser in measuring the amount of fluid in bottle B. The gradations G maybe formed on the bottle as by embossing or molding or applied to thebottle B in a subsequent printing or similar process.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the system includes amethod of evacuating a bottle in an automated fashion. The methodincludes installing a cap assembly 10 according to the invention on thebottle B. For example as shown in FIG. 20, cap assembly 10 may include afunnel 20 having a first portion 21 that is inserted within the neck ofthe bottle B. A seal 50 may be provided between the funnel and the neckand compressed between a shoulder of the funnel and the upper surface ofthe neck. A self sealing membrane 60 is inserted within the funnel. Thesealing membrane 60 rests on a floor 27 within funnel to close thefunnel 20 to fluid flow. A cap 80 fits over the funnel 20 enclosing theself sealing membrane therein. Cap 80 may be attached to the bottle B inany manner including an internal thread that mates with an externalthread on the neck of the bottle B. In the example shown, attachment ofthe cap 80 to bottle B compresses seal 50 between the shoulder and theneck causing the outer surface 53 of seal to engage a sidewall 82 of cap80 and form a seal between the cap 80 and the bottle B.

With the cap 80 secured, a gap 89 is provided between the self sealingmembrane and the cover portion 81 of cap 80. This gap permits upwardmovement of the self sealing membrane 60 when suction is applied to thecap 80. This upward movement displaces self sealing membrane 60 awayfrom floor 27 opening funnel 20 and allowing fluid to flow from bottle Bthrough funnel 20 and out of openings 90 within cap 80. As discussedmore completely below, evacuating fluid from the bottle B may be used tocreate a relatively low pressure within the bottle B. When the suctionis removed, the pressure differential created sucks the self sealingmembrane 60 against floor 27 resealing the bottle B.

Returning to FIG. 20, system may include an assembly station, generallyindicated at 200 where the cap assembly is attached to bottle B. Whileonly a single bottle B is shown at this station 200, it will beunderstood that multiple cap assemblies may be applied to multiplebottles simultaneously at one assembly station 200. Optionally, capassembly station 200 may include a disinfecting or sanitizing assembly,generally indicated at 210 to disinfect or sanitize the bottle B and/orcap assembly 10. In the example shown, sanitizing assembly 210 includesa gamma gas emitter 212 that directs sanitizing gamma gas 214 toward thebottle B and cap assembly 10. It will be understood that disinfecting orsanitizing may occur upstream or downstream of the cap assembly station200 as well.

Once the cap assembly is attached, a conveyor 220 may be used totransport the bottle B to an evacuation station 250. Conveyor 220 may beany system suitable for transporting one or more bottles B to theevacuation station 250 including but not limited to a conveyor belt, asliding platform, a robot arm, air table, chute, and the like. A driveassembly is provided to provide a motive force a may include an actuatormotor, air pump, or a conveyor motor 222 as shown. Drive assembly isoperatively connected to the conveyor 220.

The evacuation station 250 generally includes a pressure device 110 asdescribed previously that engages the cap assembly 10 and applies asuction to evacuate fluid from bottle B. To that end, pressure device110 is connected to a vacuum source 117, which is any pressurizingassembly that can generate a relatively lower pressure within bottle B.Pressurizing assembly may include a pump, vacuum tank, or other assemblythat contains or creates a lower pressure or is able to draw fluid fromthe bottle B. Indeed, as discussed, pressure device 110 may include achamber 100 (FIG. 16) that is maintained at a lower pressure than thecontents of bottle B. As shown in FIG. 19, pressure device 110 mayinclude a single device that engages one bottle B at a time, or, asshown in FIG. 20, pressure device 110 may include a head 255 thatfluidly connects to multiple bottles B simultaneously. The head 255 maybe moved into fluid communication with the multiple bottles by anactuator 265. Actuator 265 may be any device or combination of devicesthat moves the head 255 into fluid communication including but notlimited to a four bar linkage assembly, linear actuator, or pistonassembly (as shown). In the example shown, actuator 265 moves the head255 vertically between a first position where the head 255 is spacedfrom the top surface of the cap assemblies on the bottles B to provideclearance for loading the bottles in the evacuation station, and asecond position where the ports 115 within head 255 fluidly connect tothe cap assemblies 10 of bottles B.

Head 255 includes multiple ports 115 that each engage a single capassembly 10. A single conduit 116 may provide suction to each port 115through a manifold. For example, head 255 may include a 3×3 array ofports 115 such that 9 bottles may be evacuated simultaneously. Thisnumber is purely an example and is not limiting as head 255 may have anynumber of ports 115 in any arrangement for evacuating one or morebottles B. After evacuation, the bottle B may be transported downstreamof evacuation station 250 for further processing or ejected to a packingstation.

While principles and modes of operation have been explained andillustrated with regard to particular embodiments, it must be understoodthat this may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained andillustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

What has been described above includes examples of the subjectinnovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the subjectinnovation are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Specific embodiments of an innovation are disclosed herein. One ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the innovation mayhave other applications in other environments. In fact, many embodimentsand implementations are possible. The following claims are in no wayintended to limit the scope of the subject innovation to the specificembodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for”is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and aclaim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation“means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-functionelements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”.

Although the subject innovation has been shown and described withrespect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obviousthat equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to othersskilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of thisspecification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to thevarious functions performed by the above described elements (e.g.,enclosures, sides, components, assemblies, etc.), the terms (including areference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended tocorrespond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performsthe specified function of the described element (e.g., that isfunctionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to thedisclosed structure which performs the function in the hereinillustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the innovation. Inaddition, while a particular feature of the innovation may have beendescribed above with respect to only one or more of several illustratedembodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageousfor any given or particular application. Although certain embodimentshave been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents andmodifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occurto others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understandingof this specification.

It is to be appreciated that the bottle and cap assembly as describedherein can be manufactured and produced with recyclable materials.Moreover, the bottle and/or the cap assembly described herein can bereused after cleaning, sanitizing, and/or sterilization. For instance, abottle and cap assembly can be used for housing and/or disposing aliquid and such bottle and cap assembly can be at least one of cleaned,washed, sanitized, sterilized, and the like to be available for anaddition use for housing and/or disposing an additional liquid.

In addition, while a particular feature of the subject innovation mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations,such feature may be combined with one or more other features of theother implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any givenor particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms“includes,” “including,” “has,” “contains,” variants thereof, and othersimilar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims,these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising” as an open transition word without precluding anyadditional or other elements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap assembly comprising: a self-sealingmembrane that overlaps an opening to an interior of a container; and acap comprising a cover portion that includes an annular wall thatdefines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening locatedradially outward of the central opening, the cover portion defining agap above the self-sealing membrane, wherein the gap is configured toallow the self-sealing membrane to be at least partially displaced fromthe opening to allow fluid communication between the interior of thecontainer and an outside atmosphere when a suction is applied to thecap.
 2. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises acap wall including internal threading.
 3. The cap assembly of claim 1,wherein the cover portion includes three evacuating openingscircumferentially spaced from each other and located on a common circle,wherein the common circle overlies a perimeter of the self-sealingmembrane.
 4. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the self-sealingmembrane comprises: a first portion, and a second portion extendingradially outward relative to the first portion.
 5. The cap assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the first portion of the self-sealing membrane includesa pair of legs spaced from each other by a gap.
 6. The cap assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one evacuating opening is located over oroutside of at least a portion of a perimeter of the self-sealingmembrane.
 7. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the self-sealingmembrane includes a perimeter having an upper edge that is tapered orrounded.
 8. A cap assembly comprising: a self-sealing membrane having aperimeter that overlaps an opening to an interior of a container; and acap comprising a cover portion that includes an annular wall thatdefines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening locatedradially outward of the central opening by a distance that permits fluidflow through the at least one evacuating opening when the self-sealingmembrane seals the central opening.
 9. The cap assembly of claim 8,wherein the cover portion defines a gap above the self-sealing membrane,wherein the gap is configured to allow the self-sealing membrane to beat least partially displaced from the opening to allow fluidcommunication between the interior of the container and an outsideatmosphere when a suction is applied to the cap.
 10. The cap assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the cap further comprises a cap wall including internalthreading.
 11. The cap assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least oneevacuating opening is located over or outside of at least a portion ofthe perimeter of the self-sealing membrane.
 12. The cap assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the cap includes three evacuating openingscircumferentially spaced from each other and located on a common circle.13. The cap assembly of claim 12, wherein the common circle overlies theperimeter of the self-sealing membrane.
 14. The cap assembly of claim 8,wherein the self-sealing membrane comprises: a first portion, and asecond portion extending radially outward relative to the first portion.15. The cap assembly of claim 14, wherein the first portion of theself-sealing membrane includes a pair of legs spaced from each other bya gap.
 16. The cap assembly of claim 8, wherein the perimeter includesan upper edge that is tapered or rounded.
 17. A cap for a container, thecap comprising: a cover portion that includes an annular wall thatdefines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening locatedradially outward of the central opening, wherein the cap is configuredto be coupled to the container to define a gap above a self-sealingmembrane, and the gap is configured to allow the self-sealing membraneto be at least partially displaced from an opening of the container toallow fluid communication between an interior of the container and anoutside atmosphere when a suction is applied to the cap.
 18. The cap ofclaim 17, wherein the cap is configured to permit fluid flow through theat least one evacuating opening when the self-sealing membrane seals thecentral opening.
 19. The cap of claim 17, wherein the cover portionincludes three evacuating openings circumferentially spaced from eachother and located on a common circle, wherein the common circle overliesa perimeter of the self-sealing membrane.
 20. The cap of claim 17,wherein the at least one evacuating opening is located over or outsideof at least a portion of a perimeter of the self-sealing membrane.